The authors found that 14 (46.7%) of 30 patients with panic disorder had
alexithymia, compared with four (12.5%) of 32 patients with simple phobia.
Consistent with the conceptualization of alexithymia as a psychological
deficit affecting emotion regulation, the patients with panic disorder had
significantly less ego strength and independence and significantly higher
levels of anxiety and somatic complaints than the patients with simple
phobia.Abstract Teaser